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China arrests 12,000 in online drug bust

More than 12,000 people have been arrested in a nationwide blitz on online drug dealing.

In addition to the arrests, dozens of suspected drug rings have been closed and 300 kilos of illegal drugs seized, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the Ministry for Public Security (MPS).

The crackdown follows the discovery of an online video platform that was used to sell drugs and "gather drug addicts" without drawing the attention of the authorities, MPS narcotics official Liu Yujing was quoted as saying.

In March, police in the cities of Lanzhou and Xian in west China discovered people buying and selling drugs through a carefully-screened online chat room.

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Newcomers would only be allowed to enter the chat room after being introduced by "acquaintances", Liu said.

He added that China's laws needed to be tightened to restrict online drug-related crime.